conventionbureau.london London & Partners conventionbureau.london 110 reasons why London A gleaming 21st century capital with a fascinating 2,000-year-old history,London’s royal palaces,iconic landmarks and world-class attractions never fail to impress. Add to the mix its vibrancy,diversity and appetite for reinvention and it’s little wonder that London is such an inspiring host city. 1 A magnet for delegates When delegates attend an event in London,many choose to extend their stay - and with good reason,as the capital has been crowned the World’s Most Popular Tourist Destination (2015) by MasterCard for the second year running. Full of must-see museums,galleries and attractions to tick off the bucket list,together with a unique,vibrant atmosphere where over 300 languages are spoken,London has what it takes to keep delegates in its thrall,before,during or after an event. Europe’s most accessible city With five international airports and 380 direct flights to international destinations,London is a mere two-hour flight to all of Europe’s principal cities. While Eurostar,the high-speed,cross-continental rail network,connects London with Paris,Brussels and beyond. Affordable leisure time Free spectacular world-class attractions and events,a surplus of quality affordable accommodation and over 19,000 different places to eat mean it is possible to create a memorable yet cost-effective programme. And,with two of London’s international airports dedicated to low-cost airlines,delegates can travel to London on a budget. Industry excellence Dynamic and influential,business is thriving in the capital. London hosts 40 per cent of the European Headquarters of the world’s top companies,while around 60 per cent of leading non-European companies with headquarters in Europe have chosen London as their base. London is also Europe’s leading centre for high-skill employment. A booming technology hub When it comes to tech - London is a global powerhouse. Not only is Tech City Europe’s largest centre for technology,it’s also the fourth largest in the world. Comparable to Silicon Valley,its 40,000 digital technology companies employ a 200,000-strong workforce - giving London direct access to some of the world’s most brilliant minds in the tech industry. London Tech Week is Europe’s largest and most influential festival for tech events; it hosts 40,000 delegates and includes over 300 events. A pioneer in life sciences London is at the forefront of ground-breaking life science research thanks to substantial investment and initiatives,such as MedCity,which links London’s three world-leading academic health science institutions. The new Francis Crick Institute is dedicated to understanding,treating,diagnosing and preventing diseases. The city is home to 120 biopharma companies,1,500 biomedical researchers,14 teaching hospitals and 50 clinical research centres. 2 Official London Convention Bureau London & Partners2 3 Europe’s financial epicentre London is Europe’s largest investment banking centre and is a global financial hub for international business and commerce. It is home to over 480 international banks and the world’s biggest FinTech industry. A world-leader in education With its 48 universities and colleges,London is the only city with four universities in the top 50 of the QS World Rankings 2015,making it the education capital of the world. Being at the cutting edge of innovative and researchintensive study provides London with access to some of the most respected and exciting academic speakers in the world. A hotbed of creative talent With a quarter of the capital’s workforce employed in the creative sector,London attracts some of the world’s most exciting and gifted creatives. Its talent pool extends to award-winning film directors and production companies,actors,advertising agencies,graphic designers,animators,artists,musicians and writers. Not forgetting London’s reputation as a centre for cutting-edge fashion with its two London Fashion Weeks a year,and highly respected fashion schools:Camberwell College of Arts and Central St Martins. A winning destination London is a magnet for delegates. Large associations that host their event in the capital report record rises in attendance levels - some by as much as 20 per cent. Holding your conference in London gives you the greatest opportunity of staging a successful event. This is recognised by London’s ranking in the International(ICCA) 2015; the city being placed fifth 1 British Museum 2 New Tate Modern extension 3 Natural History Museum 4 London skyline,taken from Central Hall Westminster 5 London skyline and City London by numbers 140,000 hotel rooms 380 direct international flights 173 museums 19,000 places to eat 65 Michelin stars 850 galleries London & Partners conventionbureau.london 3London & Partners’ services As London’s official convention bureau,we are on hand to help you create a truly inspiring conference for your delegates,from successful bid to hosting your event. Who we are We are London & Partners,the official convention bureau for London. Our team of professional and experienced association experts offer a free and impartial service to help you unlock London’s potential. What we do With our unrivalled network of contacts,we can open doors to the widest range of venues,hotels and support services across London. We pride ourselves on knowing every new,unique,quirky and historic venue in London - and can assist your search for the ideal venue for your event. We also have extensive experience in helping to find the right accommodation,from five-star opulence to low-cost university rooms. We can introduce you to the best support services in the industry,including professional conference organisers (PCOs),destination management companies (DMCs) and entertainment providers. How we can help There are many ways we can lend a hand in the very early stages,for example,we can assist with writing a successful bid,and provide written support from leading relevant civil and corporate figures. Thanks to our Ambassador Programme we can even arrange London-based academic support. Plus,we can advise on all aspects of planning,from facilitating meetings with relevant parties to coordinating site visits. Savings on travel We have long-standing airline and railway partnerships,and can help arrange discounts on travelling to London. We can also supply prepaid smart Oyster travelcards for groups,which save 30% on travel across London’s extensive transport network. See page 6 for transport information. Reclaim value added tax(VAT) Event organisers and delegates travelling to the UK on business may be able to reclaim VAT on travel and expenses,such as hotels and restaurants. We can introduce you to a trusted partner to assist with VAT refunds. Use our free,world-class promotional assets Set the bar high for your event by making full use of our excellent promotional materials. We’ve designed a dedicated online toolkit specifically for conference organisers,where you’ll easily find fantastic high-quality imagery,videos,infographics and PowerPoint presentations ready for immediate use. Block book accommodation If your event needs more than 1,000 rooms,take advantage of London’s Accommodation Charter. Designed to help organisers secure blocks of hotel rooms for major events,we can help source the most appropriate and convenient places for delegates to stay(see page 21). Visa information Delegates travelling from outside the UK may require a visa. As rules change regularly,contact your local British Embassy for the latest information. Applications can also be made online,visit gov.uk/apply-uk-visa Security matters The UK is a world leader in counter terrorism. Police,emergency and intelligence services work with the Border Force to ensure London is a safe and secure city to visit. Quick guide to our services:＊ Free and impartial expert advice ＊ Site inspection coordination ＊ Accommodation housing service ＊ Budgeting advice ＊ Bid production ＊ Promotional literature,presentations and DVDs ＊ Access to the London image library ＊ Special delegate offers ＊ Official London App - a free guide ＊ PR/media liaison ＊ Ambassador programme ＊ Discounts on travel costs to and around London ＊ Dedicated convention bureau website and regular newsletter How to get in touch:W:conventionbureau.london/associations 4 Official London Convention Bureau London & PartnersBy air London prides itself on its fantastic air links from Europe and the rest of the world - in fact,delegates travelling from any principal European city will arrive in London within a two-hour flight time. What’s more,London’s five airports offer direct flights to 380 international destinations. Of London’s airports,London Heathrow is Europe’s largest and sees more international travellers than any other airport in the world. London Gatwick is London’s second largest airport,and London City boasts an unbeatable location right in the heart of London’s business and financial districts. While London Stansted and London Luton airports are dedicated hubs for low-cost and chartered airlines. Airport express rail All of London’s airports are served by fast,frequent and reliable rail services to the centre of London. For example,the travel time for the Heathrow Express is only 15 minutes to Paddington Station,and Gatwick Express is just 30 minutes to Victoria Station. By rail Eurostar is a super-sleek,high-speed rail service connecting the UK with mainland Europe. As well as offering delegates an alternative to travelling by air,it also provides an opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint as a Eurostar journey emits 80% less carbon than the equivalent short-haul flight. There are currently up to 41 services a day between London and Paris,and up to 22 trains a day between London and Brussels. Eurostar is launching a new route between Amsterdam and London from late 2017,with two services a day,and a journey time of around four hours. The new service from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Central will stop at Brussels,Antwerp,Rotterdam and Schipol Airport along the way. For more detailed travel information,see visitlondon.com/travel Getting here Everyone is welcome in London,and thanks to its five international airports and high-speed cross-continental rail network,it’s even easier,quicker and cheaper to get here. Fleet of BA Boeing 747s standing on the apron of London Heathrow airport Eurostar train at St Pancras International London & Partners conventionbureau.london 5Underground When it opened in 1863,London Underground was the world’s first underground railway and was powered by steam. Fast-forward some 150 years and the fully modernised network extends to 11 colour-coded lines,270 stations,and stretches 400km in length. The Tube,as it’s locally known,is the quickest way to get around London. A round-the-clock Night Tube service operates on selected lines during Fridays and Saturdays. Overground As the name suggests,the Overground travels above ground and links suburban areas in London. Established in 2007,it interconnects with the Tube,has nine lines and 112 stations and offers fascinating views of the capital,past private gardens and green spaces. Docklands Light Railway(DLR) London’s automated,driverless service links London’s financial hub,Canary Wharf,and conference centre,ExCeL London,with central London. Bus One of the best ways to see London and its many famed landmarks is to ride on the top deck of a red bus. With over 700 different routes and 8,000 scheduled buses,London’s local bus network is one of the largest in the world. Look out for the new Routemaster bus,created by the leading English designer,Thomas Heatherwick who also created the 2012 Olympic Cauldron. Taxi There are more than 20,000 licensed black cabs in London and they can be hailed on the street,or booked in advance. The drivers,known as cabbies,have all passed extensive training on the geography of London streets. Cycle hire London’s fantastic self-service cycle hire scheme is incredibly popular. Easy to use,simply hire a bike,ride for as long as needed and return to a docking station. There are more than 10,000 bikes,and 700 docking stations in central and convenient locations. Riverboat A great way to journey to a riverside conference venue,delegates will thoroughly enjoy their trip on the Thames Clipper. The fast and frequent catamaran river bus service picks up and drops off at piers along the Thames,passing iconic London landmarks along its way. Cable car Delegates will love London’s cable car,which soars to a height of 90m,offering spectacular views of the Thames and surrounding area. The journey lasts five minutes and connects the conference hub,ExCeL London,with the thriving restaurants and exciting entertainment of one of the world’s most popular entertainment venues,the O2. London travel pass By far the best way for delegates to travel around the city is with an Oyster card,which is a contactless smart ticket that gives users a 30% discount on London’s Tube,DLR,train and bus network. Simply add credit to the card,then ‘touch in’ by tapping it on an electronic reader at the start of the journey,and,at the end of the journey,‘touch out’. The Oyster card and its credit never expires. London & Partners can help with bulk purchasing of Oyster cards. Journey planner For more detailed information on travelling around London,including a fantastic Journey Planner,which tells you the easiest way to get to your destination,visit Transport for London:tfl.gov.uk Getting around Whether riding a red double-decker bus,hailing a black cab,stepping aboard a Tube train or zipping across the Thames on a cable car,delegates will enjoy discovering London’s amazing sights on its fast and reliable public transport network. 6 Official London Convention Bureau London & PartnersConference venues When it comes to finding the perfect space for your conference,the capital’s unrivalled choice of over 1,000 venues makes London a top events destination. Show of success London has hosted some of the world’s highest profile events in recent years and,in 2015,it has seen a significant 20 per cent rise in the number of delegates. According to the 2015 International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings,London proudly sits at Number 2 for conference attendees. The city has the expertise,infrastructure,and - thanks to considerable investment - state-of-the-art venues to take your conference to the next level. Amazing spaces From award-winning,purpose-built conference centres to historic buildings installed with the latest high-spec tech,London’s sheer number of venues allow organisers to find the perfect venue to meet their needs easily. Whatever the criteria,whether it’s pillar-free auditoriums,light and bright venues or rooms with spectacular views,the city is full of unique and flexible spaces with experienced support staff on hand to help every step of the way. Academic appeal London’s 48 universities and colleges provide endless possibilities to match the right venue with a conference theme. With globally renowned centres of scientific breakthrough,creativity,progressive political thinking,pioneering astrophysical study,and more,it is possible to take advantage of these world-class venues and cutting-edge facilities. Accessible places Having held what was described by the International Paralympic Committee president,Philip Craven,as “The greatest Paralympic Games ever” in 2012,London has proved itself to be switched on to the needs of people with disabilities. From transport and infrastructure to conference centres and social venues,London’s facilities are constantly being updated in the city’s drive to create a truly inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. Keep it local London stretches across an area of some 1,570km2 but with so much to delight and amaze around every corner,it’s easy to create a wonderful and exciting itinerary while keeping to the local area. Four distinct convention areas or clusters have been identified to help simplify the planning process:(See maps on pages 36-37) - Central & North - City (Financial District) & East - Westminster These cluster maps make it easier for delegates to navigate the city,and discover social venues,attractions and hotels on the doorstep of the conference location. Riverview Suite,InterContinental London - The O2 London is always a popular choice for international associations and their target audiences. With its overwhelming choice of beautiful historic buildings and state-of-the-art,purposebuilt conference venues,there is a strong sense that anything is possible and that you’re limited only by your imagination.” Caroline Windsor,Account Director,TFI Group Ltd and Co-Chair,The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) London & Partners conventionbureau.london 7A luxury hotel and purpose-built conference centre on the Greenwich Peninsula. History:The hotel takes inspiration from the historic Royal Borough of Greenwich with its rich maritime history and royal connections and the London Docklands which flourished under worldwide trade of silk,spices,porcelain and tea via the East India Trading routes. Location:Located on the vibrant Greenwich Peninsula,cited as London’s exciting new district,the hotel is perfectly connected to London’s West End,Canary Wharf and ExCeL London. Facilities:The 18-storey hotel features 453 spacious guest rooms,a luxury spa with a 17m indoor pool,five destination inspired dining outlets and 20 meetings spaces including the largest pillar-free ballroom in the UK,the Arora Ballroom. Services:A dedicated concierge team and chauffeur service. Stand-out fact:The Arora Ballroom,is the largest pillar-free event space in the UK,and can accommodate up to 3,000 delegates. Contact details:1 Waterview Drive London SE10 ***
T:+44 (0)20 8463 ***
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An award-winning,international venue and home to London’s International Convention Centre (ICC). History:ExCeL opened in November 2000 in London’s historic Royal Docks. Under the ownership of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC),the venue has seen significant investment in new conference facilities. Location:ExCeL is located in the heart of London’s financial district,adjacent to Canary Wharf and the City,with hotels,shops,bars and restaurants all within close proximity. Facilities:ExCeL offers a variety of flexible,multi-purpose event spaces,from blank canvas event halls and an international convention centre,to smaller conference suites and meeting rooms. Services:Visitor services include seven onsite hotels,numerous bars and restaurants and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the venue. Success story:“Never in the history of the ESC Congress have we had such a well-attended event. London has been a fantastic host city and ExCeL has delivered the best layout the congress has ever had.” Isabel Bardinet,CEO,European Society of Cardiology Stand-out fact:ExCeL hosted the most successful event ever in the history of the ESC Congress,with a record-breaking 32,773 delegates. One Western Gateway Royal Victoria Dock London E16 ***
T:+44 (0)20 7069 ***
E:sales.enquiries**[ta]**l.london Capacities Theatre:3,000 Reception:3,000 Banquet:2,400 Breakout rooms:18 Range of capacities of breakout rooms(people):10-1,000 Total exhibition space (m2):4,500 Green policy:＊ Considerate Hoteliers member ＊ IHG Green engage initiative ＊ Energy conservation Nearest Tube station:North Greenwich Map number:71 Theatre:30,000 Reception:30,000 Banquet:30,000 Breakout rooms:79(people):20-2,000 space (m2):100,000 ＊ Certified to both ISO14001 and ISO20121 environmental standards ＊ Onsite wormery ＊ Waste recycling ＊ Refuse derived fuels (RDF) Nearest DLR stations:Custom House for ExCeL,Prince Regent Map number:73 Venues for over 1,000 people 8 Official London Convention Bureau London & PartnersConference venues for over 1,000 people Theatre:2,039 Reception:1,000 Banquet:400 Breakout rooms:26(people):10-450 space (m2):1,700 stations:Victoria,St. James’s Park and Westminster Map number:28 The largest conference and events space in central London. History:Since opening in 1912 this Grade II listed venue has welcomed conferences of historical significance,globally televised ceremonies and world class musicians. Location:Right next to the QEII and opposite Westminster Abbey,enjoy easy access and preferred partner accommodation within walking distance. Facilities:Central London’s largest and arguably most impressive event space - Great Hall - holds up to 2,400 guests,plus 25 breakout rooms with varying capacities. Services:An investment of £16 million into technology and restoration since 2001 has established Central Hall as one of the most technology-focused venues in the UK. Stand-out fact:Host to the Inaugural Meeting of the United Nations in 1946. Storey’s Gate London SW1H 9NH
T:+44 (0)20 7222 ***
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Theatre:1,300 Reception:1,200 Banquet:930 Breakout rooms:27(people):25-300 space (m2):2,000 Map number:29 The largest dedicated conference,events and exhibition space in History:A trusted event venue with an unrivalled reputation for excellence. Location:Next to Central Hall Westminster,five minutes’ walk from Big Ben and the River Thames. Facilities:World-class facilities for high-profile conferences,conventions,exhibitions,awards dinners and corporate events,with capacity of up to 2,500. Services:With experienced event managers,award-winning **** team and celebrated in-house catering,you can trust Team QEII to deliver your event as if it were their own. Stand-out fact:Opened by the Queen in 1986,her 60th birthday year. Broad Sanctuary London SW1P 3EE
T:+44 (0)20 7798 ***
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